Exhaust smoke

I sold my 2002 R1150Rt to a fellow a couple of months ago.

He says it's now started to smoke once in a while when first started.
(Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.)
Also, sometimes a lot and sometime just a little.

Side stand or center stand makes no differance

Does anyone have any idea what it might be?

What's the mileage on it? First thought is how high up in the sight glass is the oil level...? (PLEEEZE don't start another "sight glass level" thread!!!)
If the oil was ever over-filled, there will be some pooled in the bottom of the airbox; drain it at the bottom rear left corner.
And does he use a quality SG-rated oil, or Pep Boys' finest re-manufactured swill?

If he parks outside, it may be simply condensation inside the muffler getting heated up.

Is it really coming out the muffler exit? Drops of oil on the catalyst will smoke too.


Brand doesn't matter, it's too young to smoke.

Without starting another sight glass thread, excess oil fill would be my first guess as well. Following the vague instructions in the manual, instead of reading posts here, I added oil on a few occasions when I probably didn't need to. It found its way to the air box and I'd have oil smoke on start up. Since reading up on the subject here, I now park the bike on the side stand when it is hot and don't put it on the center stand for at least 10 minutes. I throw it on the center stand before turning in for the night and check the oil in the morning. Strangely, I've stopped using oil, it no longer smokes on start up and there isn't a 1/2 pint in the air box any more either.

On the other hand we could turn this into a how to check your oil thread; what's one more...

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=13532

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=47876

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=47270

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=40749

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=36463

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=34644

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=33263

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=30335

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=25071

At any rate, lets hope that is his issue. as previously mentioned, have him remove the drain plug at the back of the air box to see if oil has collected in there. If he has over filled it, there could be a lot of oil that will drain so it is a good idea to have a cup in place under the drain before opening it.

Glad I read that last one.

I won't continue the sight glass evaluation AGAIN. The side stand/centerstand debate I haven't heard. I do know that mine smokes on start up in the cold because of to much oil, twice. I am still learning.

Go buy a decent compression tester and follow the directions. That should tell you what the compression is on each side, and if off, whether it looks like the oil is getting past the rings or the valves.

Thanks Guys,

I'll let the new owner know what you've said.
Those are all things he could check.

By the way I forgot to mention:
There's 108,000 miles on it.
No smoke when I had it. It ran perfectly.
Don't know if he put too much oil in.

I'll also recommend that he join MOA.

He bought a bike with 108K miles, and months later he complaining about occasional smoke on startup? I'd tell him, "Quit calling me. If you continue to harrass me I will call the police."

He's a good guy and he's NOT harrasing me.

I'm just trying to help a fellow BMW rider.

JimMoore said:

He bought a bike with 108K miles, and months later he complaining about occasional smoke on startup? I'd tell him, "Quit calling me. If you continue to harrass me I will call the police."

Click to expand...

I've rode my three BMW in my garage almost 400,000 miles. None of them have had any engine work or use oil. 108k is not a lot of miles on an oilhead.

Found this on the internet:
http://www.bmbikes.org.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11015

If you go down to the 4th post (March 26, 2010), your suspicion is confirmed.
There's actually a picture of the air box but you need to register on the forum to see it.

This club (BM Bikes & BM Riders Club) and it's forum in England looks kind of interesting. Also interesting is their logo (No rondel or "BMW").

PS:
The bikes new owner hasn't looked into this yet but when he does I'll report here.

He emptied the air box.
There was about 1/3 cup of oil in it!

He hasnÔÇÖt run it yet but IÔÇÖm guessing the smoke will stop now (I hope).

Assuming this is due to an overfill like mine was, make sure he drains some oil so it reads correctly or he will continue to have this issue.

He's doing a complete oil and filter change. Hopefully he'll put in the correct amount.

In case there's someone else that needs info. I found this on a British forum:

Oil out of air box
You are looking for something outside the air box.
It is item 14 in the attached picture.

Put the bike on the centre stand
Remove the left hand black side panel

Look for where the top of the left hand aluminium foot peg plate bolts to the frame.
Just in front of that is the area you should be looking.
Grope under the rear left hand side of the air box assembly and you should find the screw in plug.

Twist it out.
Place a bit of cloth beforehand to catch oil (if there is any).

Don't forget to tell your friend to join the MOA, this way he can read these threads too and enjoy the benefits of being a member.